Travel Connections

Welcome to today's episode devoted to our epic road trip in Arizona. Don't miss the links at the bottom! If you would like to go straight to the highlights and links to restaurants and activities just scroll on down! This episode was not originally on the editorial calendar. But to be perfectly honest, I planned such a fantastic itinerary for this Spring Training, great food, beautiful landscapes,...

Welcome to another episode of Travel Connections. Once again, we hit a home run with our next guest. Aurora Echo lives on Whidbey Island, WA, and owns a delightfully successful business called Wildly Beloved Foods.  It's interesting; Aurora only validates that every time I visit Whidbey Island, WA, I meet someone new who impresses me. I am once again reminded of how exceptional this destination tr...

In this episode, we travel to Tuscany, but we make a couple of stops first. Angela Correll is one of just a few guests who have appeared on my show more than once. However, back in October 2022, our conversation was not about Italy; it focused on all things Kentucky. She was an essential part of a three-episode series devoted to my passion for this beautiful state and, of course, the Bourbon Trail...

Welcome to our third and final episode devoted to our tour of Southern Africa. We recorded three episodes that focused entirely on this spectacular experience on this tour by Collette. In Episode One, I talk with my husband, Craig, about the tour's unique details. In Episode 2, I interviewed our tour manager, Samantha Johnson, who ensured we all had everything we needed and the tour ran smoothly....

Welcome to Episode Two of our African Safari series. In Episode One, I interview and talk with my husband, Craig Stavert. We share many details of what it was really like going on safari with Collette. It is a great way to begin this series of episodes. Now, in Episode Two, you meet Samantha Johnson. She was our Collette tour guide, and she managed our experience perfectly. The tour is called Wild...

Welcome to Season Three! I so appreciate you joining me as we head into 2024 with the Travel Connections Podcast. Once again, our episodes will be filled with fascinating people sharing unique stories. You will be enlightened and entertained and gain knowledge you didn't know you needed! This episode is the perfect way to add to your research for your next trip. In today's episode, we begin a thre...

Are road trips on your radar? Are you looking for US destinations that are "off the beaten path" and super interesting? You are in the right place. Today's special guest will probably make you laugh as well as enlighten you with his vast knowledge of road trip destinations. Bill Clevlen of Bill on the Road , is the king of road trips; he has written five books about it to prove it!  I feel like ev...

Hello, and welcome to our newest episode of Travel Connections . If you have been following me for a while, you will probably know that I discovered Tuscan Women Cook back in 2016. I had a friend in common with today's special guest, Coleen Kirnan. Our friend Brenda connected the two of us, and boy, do I owe her a lot! In 2017, Coleen invited me to go and experience TWC for myself, and I have been...

Are you familiar with a place called Skagit Valley? When I first visited in 2016 , I honestly didn't even know how to pronounce it! I went to see The Tulip Festival, which takes place in the Valley in April. I wasn't even living in the Pacific Northwest on that first visit. I fell in love with this area way back then. Fast forward to today, I have lived in the Pacific Northwest for three years and...

Let's travel to Thailand! Travel is back, and it is time to plan your next vacation! You will learn so much from my special guest, and I promise you will be well-informed and inspired for your next (or first) trip to this fantastic destination. This episode is a bright and shiny conversation with Candy Krajangsri from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. She is knowledgeable, inspiring, exciting, an...

Hello, and welcome to another fantastic episode of Travel Connections. In this episode, we talk with Krista Loercher, Co-Owner of Whidbey Island Kayaking in the Pacific Northwest. This interview is part three in a series where we dive deeper into tourism and the benefits of giving back to a destination when we travel.  Are you familiar with the term  regenerative tourism ? My friends at Embrace Wh...

Welcome to part two of our three-part series focusing on Whidbey and Camano Islands. In this series, we talk about how important the concept of regenerative travel can be for the destination and the visitors who spend time there. If you have not had a chance to listen to Part One, you will hear my delightful conversation with Mona Campbell; go ahead and take 30 minutes to listen to how the tourism...

Just north of Seattle, in the heart of the scenic Salish Sea, sit two of the most charming island destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Camano and Whidbey Islands offer different experiences with each season. A colorful palate of locally owned shops and restaurants provides deep and delicious connections to the community and the land. Off-the-beaten-path trails and beaches share sanctuary, solitu...

Welcome to a speedy episode of Travel Connections. Summer Travel? Yes, it has begun! The good news is that travel is back, and I am having a blast, but the not-so-good news is that it doesn't leave time for much else. So instead of an entire episode, I offer you an informative summer travel update and upcoming special guest news. Summer Travel Highlights:  We have quite the summer planned. Up firs...

We have another fantastic episode devoted to travel! Join me as I go behind the scenes with Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, Collette's President & Chief Customer Experience Officer. My relationship with Collette goes back five glorious years. I have been fortunate to tour with their team on  two  epic trips. I traveled to Japan on the  Cultural Treasures of Japan  tour, and the second fantastic tour was to exp...

So you want to learn more about cruising? You have come to the right place! My friends and fellow travel writers Ann and Steve Teget have taken over twenty different cruises - all over the world. If you need a question answered, they are just the pair to do it! Ann and Steve began writing about their travels in 2014 when Ann was diagnosed with two chronic illnesses and needed a hobby to lift her s...

What is it really like to take a Viking Cruise? This episode is part of a three-part series I created to talk about cruising. I invited friends and colleagues Lina and David Stock of Divergent Travelers to speak with me about cruising in Part One. In this episode, we will discuss my experiences sailing with Viking Cruises . In Part Three of the series, you are going to meet my friends, Ann and Ste...

More adventure travel, please! Adventure travel is red hot, and no two people personify this type of travel more than my guests, Lina and David Stock of Divergent Travelers. Holy cow, they are so exciting and have stories that will blow your mind. I am not exaggerating in the slightest. You will also learn how adventure travel and cruising go super well together! We cover a lot of ground during th...

Farm-to-Table-Talk If you are like me, the words "farm-to-table" make me sit up and take notice. I just love to make and eat food that is fresh and locally sourced. Using ingredients grown and created nearby where I live supports my local community and improves our way of life, but I don't necessarily connect these farm-to-table words to cocktails . However, I sure do now! I am always looking for...

Are you looking for small group tours for women? I sure am! Once you meet and hear from my special guest, Shelly Wildman of Walkabout Tours, you will be ready to pack your bags! Shelly and I had the best time talking about all things travel. The demand is high and discerning travelers are looking for just the right tour + adventure! Just imagine that a dear friend has planned a trip just for you a...

Do you travel during the holidays? We love to go somewhere where the holiday decor is bright and sparkling. We don't always leave on December 26th, however! Travel during the holiday season can be challenging, but it is also a unique time of year to see a new destination. We tried something new, and we traveled to Dublin, Ireland, and Edinburgh, Scotland, to enjoy the holiday cheer and spend New Y...

Are you looking for more travel inspiration? Well, Hi there, everyone. It's been three months, did you miss me? Over here at Travel Connections , we took a three-month hiatus. I wasn't sure I would like it and was kind of afraid you all might forget me. But this is not true, right??  It was great to have a few months to catch up on other projects and travel!  In this opening episode of Season 2, I...

Exciting News from your favorite Travel Podcast! I am very excited to share this episode with you! I know I say that before every episode, but seriously, this is cause for celebration. In this episode, I will be interviewed by my creative business coach and podcast mentor, Linsi Brownson. We are turning the interview spotlight on me! Linsi has been instrumental in supporting this challenging goal...

Let me introduce you to Angela Correll, a Kentucky writer, world traveler, and hospitality expert. Welcome to Part Four of The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Series , where we delve into the super popular Bourbon Industry, explore beautiful towns in Kentucky, and talk about the fantastic food scene there as well. My history with Angela is by way of Tuscany! I had to travel all the way to a tiny village in...

Three words. Ouita is delightful. For those who may not know Ouita, this newest episode in the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Series is an excellent introduction! Anyone you ask about Ouita says the same thing. "She is amazing! Lovely and delightful!" However, just because she is super lovely doesn't mean she isn't uber-talented - Oh, she is VERY TALENTED. I was fortunate enough to talk with Ouita Michel,...